Scientists host conference for fish farmers

Scientists at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) hosted a conference for coarse and ornamental fish farmers at their Weymouth laboratory recently. The conference, entitled “Working Together to Control Disease”, was organised to support a government initiative to encourage the development of farmer discussion groups.

Stakeholders and trade associations are encouraged to inform themselves about new reforms and changes in legislation that affect their members. The conference aimed to

• encourage open debate, greater understanding and consensus with coarse and ornamental fish farmers on fish health issues
• update English and Welsh farmers on recent legislative changes and other issues likely to affect their businesses
• identify and discuss problems affecting fish farmers
• provide helpful and informative advice to the industry
• encourage the further development of the recently formed Coarse Fish Farmers and Traders Association (CFFTA).

Speakers from Cefas, the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) covered such topics as new fish health legislation, emerging fish diseases, the EU’s Water Framework Directive, the role of an aquaculture development officer, codes of practice for fish farmers, and the future development of the new trade association.

Eric Hudson of the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), part of Cefas, said: “Providing the fish farmers with an opportunity to tour the laboratory, learn about the work of Cefas, and ask questions went a long way towards developing greater understanding and closer working with the industry. The fish farmers present voiced their thanks for this opportunity.”

Bernice Brewster, chair of the newly formed Coarse Fish Farmers and Traders Association (CFFTA) thanked Cefas for organising the day and all the advice provided. She said: “In future, the CFFTA hope to be able to speak on behalf of farmers from across the country and to represent them in talks with government agencies on issues affecting their industry.”

Notes to editors

1. Cefas is an internationally renowned scientific research and advisory establishment, based at Lowestoft since 1902. It also has laboratories at Burnham-on-Crouch and Weymouth, and a number of other facilities around the UK. It became an executive agency of Defra in 1997.
2. Cefas undertakes work on fisheries management, environmental protection and aquaculture. It offers a wide range of research, advisory, consultancy, monitoring and training activities to government departments (UK and foreign, central and local), international agencies, commercial companies and aid organisations. For more detail see www.cefas.co.uk
3. The FHI is dedicated to maintaining and improving fish and shellfish health in England and Wales. It acts for Defra and the National Assembly for Wales’ Agricultural Department in undertaking statutory and inspection duties resulting from the EU Fish Health regime and other national legislation. The inspectorate also licenses and monitors imports of fish and shellfish from other countries and runs an enforcement programme aimed at preventing the illegal importation of these animals. For more about the FHI see /fish-health-inspectorate.aspx
4. The EU’s Water Framework Directive addresses a clear demand by European citizens and environmental organisations for cleaner rivers and lakes, groundwater and coastal beaches. Cefas is working with the Environment Agency to define key indicators of water quality. For more about Cefas’ work in this area see /news-and-events/events/prince-madog-prize-cruise-report/intercalibration-sites-for-plant-tools-relating-to-the-water-framework-directive-.aspx

Press contact: Anne McClarnon: 01502 524370 / a.mcclarnon@cefas.co.uk